It was the end of an era.
The world as we knew it had fallen to ashes. All that was left behind were the ruins of the structures that once were used to remind each other of our power. It all turned into waste anyway. Rubble and smoke. Jayden walked through the streets of his city. A city that once used to be crowded with people now lay barren. He looked at the torn down structures that once stood tall.
What was the point? He thought to himself as he walked on, the black smoke in the air clouding his vision. Jayden glanced at his father’s watch, the cracked glass and the worn out leather strap indicating that it was much older. Another fifteen minutes. He went on, his mind drifting to the deal he had made. The question playing in his mind ever since he had said yes,
Was it worth it?
Looking around him, Jayden was certain about his answer. There was something calming that the destruction brought about, and even though a thick black smog rested over him, he felt like it was the first time he could breathe.
He remembered the first shock wave. 12:30 am. The people; if that was what he could call them, were on time. He had been mesmerized by what they had said;
The Earth was never for your kind to keep. Your kind have crossed the line from visitors to hostile invaders. It is time for you to relinquish your rights.
There was something so hauntingly alluring about the beings that spoke to him, that Jayden found himself aligning himself with them. He saw humans the way they did and he agreed to take a step back. All they needed was one willing human and Jayden was not going to stand in their way. It was for a greater good. Not for humanity, but for the planet they survived off.
Jayden had believed them and they had promised to give him a part of the new world they were going to build on the toxic remains.
Five phases. The Earth would be cleansed in five phases. Four had already passed him by. Each bringing on more destruction than the last.
It had started with the plague. An unknown virus taking out quarter of the population, people dropping dead in their homes and in the streets. It was instant. Jayden could see the people gasping for air as they fell to the ground. It headlined not an hour later. An infectious virus that killed in matter of minutes. The dead were left on the streets for the trucks to carry away. Jayden remained alive, as they had promised, however it was hard watching his brother die as he clutched his throat in front of him. Jayden knew the consequences when he had said yes, as he dragged the body out on the street.
The world was a little quieter.
The second shockwave came at 5.30 am. Exactly four hours later. Jayden had fallen asleep in his armchair, when a loud crack of thunder jolted him awake. Rain and hail fell, a phenomenon no one had heard before. It poured and thundered heavily for the next four hours, destroying most infrastructure. The television was calling it the Wrath of God. Jayden had switched it off. He could not look at it anymore. The question at the back of his mind was getting louder. It was only when the skies had cleared and he opened up his windows, did he realise that it had been raining acid. He could see the destruction it caused as the burned bodies lay on the street. Jayden shut his window and retreated back into his house.
The third shockwave came at 10:30 am. Earthquakes. In places where they were not possible. As for the places built over the two tectonic plates were wiped out. Jayden felt the shockwaves as he sat in his house, the walls shaking. He had switched on the television again, only to switch it back off after he saw a clip of a Japanese earthquake spewing lava.
Was it worth it?
The question pestered him as Jayden ran his hung his head in his hands. He thought it would be much easier.
The fourth shockwave was at 3:30 pm. Dust veil. A dark cloud had settled all over, dimming the sun, making the surroundings eerier. Jayden had stepped out for this one as did some of the people that remained on his block. Jayden saw shadows moving through the thick dust and the people standing there dropped dead. He saw one approach him. Bright red eyes had stared at him . It had turned around, and the question got louder. Jayden stepped out and began walking. Taking the routes he was familiar with. He could barely see where he was going, but he could hear the shouts of the people as whatever roamed in the dust got to them. It got very quiet, very fast, and when the fog began to lift a little, Jayden knew that he was alone.
Ten minutes until the last cleanse. Jayden hurried home. He did not want to be caught in an unknown place when it happened. When he neared his house, he saw part of his roof had fallen in. He had meant to redo the roof a while back, but it didn’t matter now.
Jayden sat in his house. At least what was left of it. He watched the deserted street through his window. A street that was once filled with life; now was a shadowy ghost town, with the rubble and the torn down buildings and dead bodies on the street. Smoke spiralled out from the blackened bakery that once severed the most delicious plum cake. It was amazing how everything could change in a span of 24 hours.
He sat there, pondering on the question that had been tormenting him.
Was it worth it? Living when all else had perished. Being the sole reminder of what was believed to be a superior species.
Jayden did not regret what he had done, he only wished he had died along with them.
Jayden sat in his chair staring up at the dusty sky through the whole in the roof, wondering what tomorrow would bring.It was the end of the world, not a soul left on the planet. Jayden was sure of it because he had caused it.
‘The world is ending.’445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Gp1rAR8ja
One of my friends urged me to write something on how the world would end according to me...445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC09GrJBGKP
Here’s my two cents! 445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfB4BAQRLiH
I have never written anything remotely post apocalyptic before, I’m quite happy with the way it turned out!
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